Immigration correspondent

A BLIND woman who was employed as a medical secretary was deliberately paid less than $9 an hour because of her disability, Fair Work Australia alleges.

Heba El-Ali, 22, was employed as a part-time receptionist at the Medical Centre 2000 in Liverpool between February 2010 and February last year by brothers Dr Ahmed Mohamed and Dr Ismail Mohamed, one of whom owns the practice.

Ms El-Ali was paid a flat rate of $7 and then $8 an hour.

Over two years, Ms El-Ali, who has retina detachment and cataracts that affect her vision, was underpaid a total of $20,847, according to Fair Work Australia.

During her employment at the practice, Ms El-Ali was paid a flat rate of $7 and then $8 an hour. This is 40 per cent below the entitled health professionals and support services award wage.

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The documents claim Ms El-Ali worked more than one month at the practice as a ''trial'' during December 2009 without being paid. Ms El-Ali also worked 13 public holidays between April 2010 and January last year and was underpaid by more than double what she was earning.

It is alleged Ms El-Ali was a patient of Ismail Mohamed and he offered her a job at his practice in December 2009.

Three other female receptionists at the practice who completed the same tasks and similar hours were paid higher wages than Ms El-Ali, the documents show.

When Fairfax Media contacted the practice, Ahmed Mohamad said: ''There is no comment to be made.''

Individuals who break workplace laws can face up to $6600 in fines. Companies can face fines up to $33,000. The case will be heard in the Federal Magistrates Court in Sydney on March 15.